Otakon 2005 Finalists (unofficial)

[Songbird21]

C'omon guys. John can not control how the pre-screening attendants vote. Honestly, you are getting out of control. I'm dissapointed that my vid didn't make it in, who wouldn't be. But I'm not gonna verbally beat the hell out of John over it.

Maybe there should be thread locks after the first post of any finalist thread.

Like that would work. Someone would just make their own "I'm pissed" thread.

[Ashyukun]

Why this has already become 6 pages, I don't know.

I know the answer to that- it's because I should have been an English major and not a structural analyst. Or at least that's what you'd think from how much I can type at times.

I think ultimately we all want to see the contest go the best that it possibly can, and that for now all most of us can do is sit back and wait anxiously until Friday to see the first showing and let the guys working on the contest do their jobs. And to make sure I'm not being misinterpreted, I'll be waiting anxiously because I'm always that way with contests I'm in- not because I'm worried that something will go wrong with the contest. I have no doubt that it will go off without any problems.

For those of you who made the contest this year for the first time and are going to the convention, and even those who didn't make the finals but whose videos will be shown in the overflow (which would be everyone who submitted...), make an effort to see at least one of the showings where your video is played- even the overflow showings have a higher attendance than the majority of other convention's main showings. The last few years, the overflow rooms have been standing-room only, and the crowds are really enthusiastic.

[Cyanna]

and even those who didn't make the finals but whose videos will be shown in the overflow (which would be everyone who submitted...), make an effort to see at least one of the showings where your video is played- even the overflow showings have a higher attendance than the majority of other convention's main showings. The last few years, the overflow rooms have been standing-room only, and the crowds are really enthusiastic.

I was just thinking about that. Last year was my first time entering Otakon's contest. I wasn't a finalist but I still managed to catch the second half of my video in one of the overflow showings.

To think I almost wanted to miss it...

I was shocked. The room was utterly packed and they are not a dead audience either (I got an "awwwww" when it was over ). They are there because they want to see your video. People also will remember what they see. After the con was over, I recieved a few new opinions on it.

Just because you don't get to the finals doesn't mean no one will see your video. You will definately have a audience and it is definately worth checking out if you can squeeze it into your schedule.

[genestarwind21122]

words

Dude, take a hint and shut up already before you make yourself (and the contest) look any stupider than you already have.

Call me crazy, but am I the only one who doesn't associate John with Otakon AMV Contest?

I'de understand if he was being rewarded/graded/scored/reviewed or something by his staff and whatnot, but I'm pretty sure he is saying all this stuff on his behalf, not the convention's.

Yes, his words sometimes do speak on behalf of them. That doesn't mean all his words do. I think its quite obvious which ones are the "John Westbrook: Crazy man" words and which ones are the "John Westbrook: AMV Assistant" words.

~Seen

As I've stated before I know John isn't the person in charge of this contest. He is an assistant of Antonio. We need Antonio to speak out for once.

[dokool]

As I've stated before I know John isn't the person in charge of this contest. He is an assistant of Antonio. We need Antonio to speak out for once.

At the same time he's not just an assistant of Antonio, but he's the voice of the contest itself. John deserves blame for how he's acted towards many contestants (and shouldn't be allowed to hide behind the excuse of 'lol just kidding guyz!' because he isn't "official" staff, which he sadly probably should be given that he appears to have done more work than the official staff.)

Otakon needs to stop hiring people who think they can do a good job despite little experience, and go back to having someone who's actually involved with the AMV scene and has a good relationship with the editors run the contest.

[jbone]

John isn't the person in charge of this contest. He is an assistant of Antonio.

Unfortunately, John's screw-ups last year were ignored, and Antonio allowed John to continue helping this year.

Months ago, when Antonio openly asked for feedback and opinions, I wrote to him detailing many past problems, issues, and complications which could be directly tied to John. John himself has been solely a detriment to the contest in the past. Sadly, Antonio allowed John to help again this year, and again John's involvement is making the con look bad, making the contest look bad, and causing strife amongst editors, because John is inconsistent in communicating and has poor people skills.

Just like what happened last year.

Everyone should stop bickering. Not everything may be John's fault, and in fact it may be Antonio's fault for allowing someone as incompetent and self-destructive as John to maintain an important role in the contest. Bickering on this forum will serve no purpose whatsoever.

However, if each and every one of you were to write directly to Antonion and to Antonio's supervisor detailing the problems, the miscommunication, and the poor image directly caused by John's involvement, then hopefully he will be removed from his position and next year a competent individual will take his place.

Don't argue about the videos selected. Don't argue about the selection method. Just tell them what is factually wrong.

[dokool]

Just so it's a matter of public record...

------------------------------------------
From: hackerzc
To: dokool
Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 6:28 am
Subject: Just read your comment.
Just read what you said:

[my original post about people wanking and such]

I have to say, I had to pegged wrong man. I honestly thought you were becomming one of the elitists yourself for a time. But after reading this... wow, I must have been wrong, for that I'm sorry.
I know weve argued in the past about stupid little things, and it it would make the situation improve I'm willing to take the blaim for all of it.
Can we be cool again? I miss bugging you in IM all the time, lol.
<hr>

-------------------------------------------------------------
From: dokool
To: hackerzc
Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 1:24 pm
Subject: Re: Just read your comment.

I have to say, I had to pegged wrong man. I honestly thought you were becomming one of the elitists yourself for a time. But after reading this... wow, I must have been wrong, for that I'm sorry.
I know weve argued in the past about stupid little things, and it it would make the situation improve I'm willing to take the blaim for all of it.
Can we be cool again? I miss bugging you in IM all the time, lol.

Hah. After reading about what you've said to Ashyukun [et. al], never. You're probably the main reason why Otakon's gone so far down the toilet, and I pray nightly that the higher-ups realize it after this year.

----------------------------------------------------------
From: hackerzc
To: dokool
Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 2:34 pm
Subject: Re: Just read your comment.

Hah. After reading about what you've said to Ashyukun, never. You're probably the main reason why Otakon's gone so far down the toilet, and I pray nightly that the higher-ups realize it after this year.

I don't think you know the full situation, but you are welcome to think what you want.
I believe you are speaking out of angst more than anything else.
However if you wish to carry this further, <b>I would like to advise you to keep your distance from me at the convention</b> [<i>bolded for emphasis</i>]. You are more than welcome to attend the dinner/meeting, though after that point if would be best for you to never interact with me again.

If however at a later time you decide to rethink what you have said, we can reopen the descussion.
Also I will be forwarding this message to the rest of the contest staff so they and the "higher-ups" are aware of your view.

--------------------------------------------------

So, lesson of the day: Tell John what you think (via PM, or email, I presume) and he'll pass all your complaints on to the higher-ups. Maybe. You should probably CC whatever you send to the people jBone mentioned as well.

[ANTDrakko]

for allowing someone as incompetent and self-destructive as John

Bickering on this forum will serve no purpose whatsoever.

I just hope that none of this obvious distaste of certain people isn't going to be actively portrayed at the AMV Dinner on Thursday.

A group of people with a common interest are supposed to be getting together to have a good time with each other. If there are going to be obvious seperations between people then its not too much of a friendly gathering, is it?

Point in hand? Keep it to yourself. Hold it out until DURING or AFTER the dinner (or regular convention). Not because I said so, 'cause I have no authority over you, but I don't want this to ruin any fun for anyone.

Though, worst case scenario, I'll have even more material to work with for my comic. This convention is GOLD

~Seen

[jbone]

A group of people with a common interest are supposed to be getting together to have a good time with each other. If there are going to be obvious seperations between people then its not too much of a friendly gathering, is it?

It may have started as a small group of people with common interest, but over the years Otakon's population has exploded, along with the egos of many attending individuals.

In some cases, the individuals who began the "gatherings" now actively avoid them.

Otakon has lost its luster. It's a massive, commercial con with a huge following. It's a con to which hordes of self-important people flock every year. Not to say that everyone there is self-important, because that certainly is not true; rather, the quantity of self-important individuals has increased significantly enough to adversely affect the mood of the con as a whole.

There will be no "happy" gathering. There will be individual cliques of people, some of whom will be circle-jerking, some of whom will not be.

[ANTDrakko]

It may have started as a small group of people with common interest, but over the years Otakon's population has exploded, along with the egos of many attending individuals.

In some cases, the individuals who began the "gatherings" now actively avoid them.

Otakon has lost its luster. It's a massive, commercial con with a huge following. It's a con to which hordes of self-important people flock every year. Not to say that everyone there is self-important, because that certainly is not true; rather, the quantity of self-important individuals has increased significantly enough to adversely affect the mood of the con as a whole.

Heh. I think I'm starting to agree with you again. Though, our views may differ as to who-is-what, you make a very valid point. If anything, thank you for presenting it in a legible and articulate way.

There will be no "happy" gathering. There will be individual cliques of people, some of whom will be circle-jerking, some of whom will not be.

Now THAT is the Jbone I'm so used to hearing

~Seen